Vance Exaggerates False Claims About Haitian Immigrants and Pets in Ohio

Senator JD Vance, the GOP vice presidential nominee, recently amplified a false narrative about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, claiming they are abducting and eating pets in the area. This assertion was made during a post on social media platform X, where Vance shared a video of himself referencing a letter from Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck. This letter outlined the challenges the city faces regarding housing for its increasing Haitian immigrant population.

In his post, Vance fueled the unfounded claims by saying, “Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio. Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn’t be in this country.” He went on to question, “Where is our border czar?”—a term used by Republicans to refer to Vice President Kamala Harris, who has consistently denied this title.

However, City Manager Bryan Heck refuted Vance’s claims in a statement to ABC News. He clarified, “In response to recent rumors alleging criminal activity by the immigrant population in our city, we wish to clarify that there have been no credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured, or abused by individuals within the immigrant community.” He further emphasized that the city has not seen verified instances of illegal activities involving immigrants, including squatting or littering on residents’ property. There have also been no reports of immigrants disrupting traffic.

A report from the Springfield News-Sun indicated that the local police department had not received any complaints regarding the alleged theft or consumption of pets. The rumor about immigrants targeting people’s pets originated from a post on a Springfield Facebook group, where a user claimed that a friend of a neighbor had lost a cat and suggested, without evidence, that Haitians had taken the animal for food. This unfounded claim quickly gained traction on social media, being shared by various figures, including right-wing activist Charlie Kirk and Elon Musk.

Springfield has been the epicenter of numerous rumors related to the influx of Haitian immigrants. In fact, the city took proactive measures to address these concerns by creating a webpage dedicated to debunking false claims. Administrators explain that the area has become attractive to migrants due to its low cost of living and available job opportunities. The city estimates that between 12,000 and 15,000 immigrants reside in the county, and the rapid population increase has put pressure on local housing, healthcare, and educational resources. Nonetheless, city officials have emphasized that many of these newcomers are in the country legally, with a substantial number holding Temporary Protected Status provided by the federal government.

On the same day that Vance made his claims, Ohio Attorney General David Yost detailed that the immigrant population in Springfield has increased by over a third. In his statement, Yost indicated that he would direct his office to explore legal options to curtail the federal government’s efforts in relocating migrants to Ohio communities. “The problem is not migrants, it is way, way too many migrants in a short period of time,” he stated, adding, “The problem is a massive increase in the population without any communication or assistance from the federal government.”

A spokesperson for Vance did not respond promptly to requests for further comments regarding these issues. The escalation of misinformation surrounding the immigrant community underscores ongoing tensions and challenges relating to the policies governing immigration and local resource management in Springfield.

Source: ABC News